Sambucol USA
Sambucol USA, founded in 1991 under PharmaCare US, Inc. (San Diego, CA), is the original black elderberry supplement brand selling syrups, gummies, capsules, lozenges, and tablets sourced from premium European Haschberg elderberries via DTC e-commerce, retail, and iHerb.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Sambucol USA does
Sambucol USA, founded in 1991 and operating under PharmaCare US, Inc. headquartered at 5030 Camino De La Siesta, Suite 200, San Diego, California, is the original black elderberry supplement brand. The company manufactures and distributes a portfolio of elderberry-based immune support products that target health-conscious adults and families with children, and positions itself as the #1 black elderberry brand based on over 30 years of scientific study and a user base described as 'millions worldwide.' Sambucol is the flagship brand within a PharmaCare US portfolio that also includes Promensil, SUP, Kid's Smart, Bioglan, and Real Health.
Sambucol's product line spans multiple delivery formats — syrups (original, advanced with Vitamin C and Zinc, and kids' formulations in 4 oz and 7.8 oz sizes), gummies (adult, kids, and zero-sugar triple immunity in 30/45/60-count bottles), capsules (Day + Night Relief), effervescent tablets (150 mg elderberry juice extract per tablet), homeopathic cold & flu relief tablets (30/60-count), throat lozenges, and softgels. The company exclusively sources premium European Haschberg Black Elderberries (Sambucus nigra) grown by generational farmers in Central Europe and applies a proprietary extraction process designed to preserve anthocyanins, antioxidants, and immune-supporting compounds; the company claims its extract matches the formulation used in published scientific studies, in contrast to the standardized concentrated extracts used by competitors. Lead SKUs deliver 3,400 mg of premium elderberry per max gummy serving and 3.8 g of Sambucus nigra per serving in the original syrup, with most products formulated vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free.
Sambucol generates revenue through direct-to-consumer e-commerce at sambucolusa.com (built on Shopify, with a Subscribe & Save subscription offering 10% discounts and free shipping over $75), brick-and-mortar retail distribution through drugstores, health-food stores, and supermarkets, authorized third-party resellers on Amazon, and an international partnership with iHerb for orders originating outside the United States. Pricing spans $10.99 (throat lozenges) to $26.99 (60-count gummies, large-format syrup), positioning the line at the premium tier of the elderberry category. Marketing is content-led through a blog, organic social (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok), email via Klaviyo, SMS via Attentive, and paid amplification on Meta, with named brand ambassadors including musician Travis Mills and tennis professional Kaitlin Christian.
Sambucol USA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sambucol USA
- Legal name
- PharmaCare US, Inc.
- Website
- https://sambucolusa.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Sambucol USA, founded in 1991 under PharmaCare US, Inc. (San Diego, CA), is the original black elderberry supplement brand selling syrups, gummies, capsules, lozenges, and tablets sourced from premium European Haschberg elderberries via DTC e-commerce, retail, and iHerb.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sambucol USA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Dietary Supplements
- NAICS
- Food (Health) Supplement Retailers (456191), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (42421), Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing (3113)
- SIC
- Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Herbal & Botanical Supplements (CRADAGAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Functional Foods & Supplement Formats (Gummies, Chews, Powders, Shots) (CRADAGAI), Cold, Flu & Cough Remedies (HLAIADAB), Cold, Flu, Cough & Allergy Remedies (Decongestants, Antihistamines, Cough Syrups, Lozenges) (CRADAMAD)
Keywords
Where Sambucol USA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sambucol USA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel
Revenue model
- Direct Product Sales: Sambucol generates revenue through direct-to-consumer sales via its e-commerce website and through retail store sales. Products are sold as one-time purchases or through subscription plans with 10% savings. The company offers a wide range of black elderberry supplements including syrups, gummies, tablets, lozenges, and capsules.
- Retail Distribution: Revenue generated through authorized retail partners including drugstores, health food stores, and supermarkets. Products are distributed through a network of authorized resellers with strict quality control standards.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Black Elderberry Gummies 30-count - $14.99 |
| Subscription | Monthly | Black Elderberry Gummies 60-count - $26.99 |
| Subscription | Monthly | Black Elderberry Effervescent Tablets - $11.99 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Black Elderberry Throat Lozenge - $10.99 |
| Subscription | Monthly | Black Elderberry Homeopathic Cold & Flu Relief Tablets 30-count - $14.99 |
| Subscription | Monthly | Black Elderberry Syrup Plus Vitamin C and Zinc Advanced Immune - $17.99 |
| Subscription | Monthly | Black Elderberry Zero Sugar Triple Immunity Gummies 45-count - $18.99 |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free Shipping Tier |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Sambucol USA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sambucol USA manufactures and sells a portfolio of black elderberry-based immune support dietary supplements in various formats including syrups, gummies, capsules, effervescent tablets, homeopathic cold & flu relief tablets, and throat lozenges, with dedicated kids' product lines. Products are powered by premium European Haschberg Black Elderberries processed through a proprietary extraction method, and are sold direct-to-consumer through sambucolusa.com and through retail/authorized reseller channels across the U.S.
Product overview
Sambucol is the Original Black Elderberry brand, founded in 1991, offering a comprehensive range of scientifically studied immune support supplements powered by premium European Haschberg Black Elderberries. The product portfolio spans multiple delivery formats including syrups (original, advanced with Vitamin C and Zinc, and kids formulations in 4oz and 7.8oz sizes), gummies (standard, kids, and zero sugar varieties in 30/45/60-count bottles), capsules (Day + Night Relief), dissolvable tablets (effervescent drink tablets and homeopathic Cold & Flu Relief in 30/60-count packs), throat lozenges, and softgels. Products are organized into Core Immune Support, Advanced Immune Support (with added Vitamin C and Zinc), Kids formulations, and Homeopathic Cold & Flu Relief categories. The brand emphasizes premium berry sourcing from Central Europe, proprietary extraction processes, and formulations suitable for various dietary needs including vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free options.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Black Elderberry Gummies - 30 count Pectin-based, vegan-friendly gummies delivering 3,400mg of premium European Haschberg Black Elderberries per max serving, plus Vitamin C and Zinc for adult immune support, priced at $14.99 one-time / $13.49 via Subscribe & Save.
- Black Elderberry Gummies - 60 count Larger 60-count bottle of pectin-based vegan gummies with 3,400mg premium Haschberg Black Elderberries per max serving plus Vitamin C and Zinc, priced at $26.99 one-time purchase.
- Black Elderberry Gummies for Kids Children's gummies (ages 2+) with 3,400mg premium Haschberg Black Elderberries per max serving plus Vitamin C and Zinc, with only 1g of cane sugar per gummy.
- Black Elderberry Syrup - Small (4 oz) Original flagship elderberry syrup in a 4 oz bottle, formulated with premium Haschberg Black Elderberries from Central Europe using a proprietary extraction process to support daily immune health.
- Black Elderberry Syrup - Large (7.8 oz) Larger 7.8 oz version of the original flagship elderberry syrup with premium Haschberg Black Elderberries for daily immune support, priced at $26.99.
- Black Elderberry Syrup Plus Vitamin C and Zinc - Advanced Immune Advanced elderberry syrup combining premium Haschberg Black Elderberries with added Vitamin C and Zinc for enhanced immune system support, priced at $17.99.
- Kids Black Elderberry Syrup - Large (7.8 oz) Kids' immune-support syrup (ages 2+) in 7.8 oz bottle with premium Haschberg Black Elderberries and Vitamin C for children's daily immune support.
- Kids Black Elderberry Syrup - Small (4 oz) Smaller 4 oz kids' immune-support syrup with premium Haschberg Black Elderberries and Vitamin C for children 2+ years.
- Black Elderberry Day + Night Relief Capsules Day and night capsule combo providing non-drowsy daytime relief and restful nighttime relief from cough, mucus congestion, and minor pain, formulated with Sambucol Premium Black Elderberries, Ivy Leaf, White Willow, and California Poppy (night only).
- Black Elderberry Effervescent Tablets Sugar-free, vegan-friendly dissolvable tablets providing 150mg elderberry juice extract per tablet plus Vitamin C and Zinc for on-the-go immune support, priced at $11.99 one-time / $10.79 Subscribe & Save.
- Black Elderberry Homeopathic Cold & Flu Relief Tablets - 30 count Quick-dissolving homeopathic tablets providing temporary relief from six cold & flu symptoms (nasal congestion, fever/chills, runny nose, sore throat, headache, cough), priced at $14.99.
- Black Elderberry Homeopathic Cold & Flu Relief Tablets - 60 count Larger 60-count pack of quick-dissolving homeopathic tablets for temporary relief from cold & flu symptoms including nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, and fever.
- Black Elderberry Throat Lozenge Soft, chewy throat lozenges with natural honey and black elderberry for soothing sore throats, suitable for ages 6+, priced at $10.99.
- Black Elderberry Zero Sugar Triple Immunity Gummies - 45 count Zero-sugar triple-immunity gummies combining black elderberry, Vitamin C and Zinc in a 45-count bottle, priced at $18.99.
Quantifiable outcome
- 3,400mg of premium European Haschberg Black Elderberries per maximum serving in gummies
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Sambucol USA
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Sambucol USA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Sambucol USA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ShopifycoreShopify powers Sambucol's online e-commerce store at sambucolusa.com. Shopify provides the platform infrastructure for the online shopping experience including cart functionality, checkout processing, and customer account management.
- iHerbcoreiHerb serves as the preferred international partner for Sambucol orders. Customers outside the United States are directed to iHerb.com for international order fulfillment.
- Facebook/MetaminorFacebook/Meta advertising and marketing platform used for targeted advertising, retargeting, and customer acquisition campaigns.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Sambucol USA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Nature's Way: Nature's Way markets a directly competing Sambucus black elderberry syrup line in similar syrup and gummy formats with comparable immune-support positioning, sold across the same drugstore and natural food channels as Sambucol.
- Gaia Herbs: Gaia Herbs specializes in liquid herbal extracts and botanicals, including elderberry single-herb extracts, with comparable premium, science-forward positioning in the natural channel.
- Airborne: Airborne is a household-name immune-support supplement brand (effervescent tablets, gummies, chewables) competing for the same cold/flu and daily-immunity occasions as Sambucol's immune and cold/flu SKUs.
- Emergen-C: Emergen-C competes head-to-head with Sambucol's effervescent and immune-support formats, targeting the same daily-immunity and on-the-go consumer occasions with similar pricing and channel placement.
Peers
- Zarbee's: Zarbee's sells a parallel family-focused natural immune support portfolio including elderberry syrups and gummies for kids and adults, with overlapping retail placement and use cases (cold/flu season immune support).
Emerging players
- Olly: Olly is a fast-growing gummy vitamin brand (including an immunity line) that overlaps with Sambucol's gummy SKUs in target consumer (women, younger adults) and retail channel (Target, Amazon), pressuring Sambucol's gummy shelf space.
- Hilma: Hilma is a venture-backed natural remedy brand offering clinically-studied, clean-label immune and symptom-relief products, competing with Sambucol for the premium, ingredient-conscious consumer in DTC and natural retail.
Broad incumbents
- Garden of Life: Garden of Life offers a broader certified-organic supplement portfolio with elderberry and immune products, competing on premium/natural positioning and overlapping retail placement with Sambucol.
- NOW Foods: NOW Foods is a large supplement manufacturer/distributor with elderberry extracts, lozenges, and immune formulas sold at lower price points across the same natural and mass channels, applying downward pricing pressure on Sambucol.
- Nature Made: Nature Made is a mass-market vitamin and supplement brand (Pharmavite) with select immune-support SKUs sold through the same drugstore and grocery channels as Sambucol, competing for impulse cold/flu purchases.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sambucol USA social profiles
Digital presenceSambucol USA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sambucol USA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Sambucol USA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sambucol USA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sambucol USA
What does Sambucol USA do?
Sambucol USA manufactures and sells a portfolio of black elderberry-based immune support dietary supplements in various formats including syrups, gummies, capsules, effervescent tablets, homeopathic cold & flu relief tablets, and throat lozenges, with dedicated kids' product lines. Products are powered by premium European Haschberg Black Elderberries processed through a proprietary extraction method, and are sold direct-to-consumer through sambucolusa.com and through retail/authorized reseller channels across the U.S.
Is Sambucol USA a public or private company?
Sambucol USA is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Sambucol USA founded?
Sambucol USA was founded in 1991.
Where is Sambucol USA based?
Sambucol USA is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sambucol USA make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Direct Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are retail Distribution.
Who are Sambucol USA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Nature's Way, Gaia Herbs, Airborne and Emergen-C. Zarbee's is listed as a peer. Emerging players are Olly and Hilma. Broad incumbents are Garden of Life, NOW Foods and Nature Made.
Does Sambucol USA have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sambucol USA.
What industry is Sambucol USA in?
Sambucol USA's product category is Dietary Supplements. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAGAD, Herbal & Botanical Supplements, with a secondary code of CRADAGAI, Functional Foods & Supplement Formats (Gummies, Chews, Powders, Shots). Its NAICS code is 456191 and its SIC code is 2833.